Anemone blanda, also known as Grecian windflower, grows from corms that are planted in fall for flowers the following spring. These low-growing plants have mounding, finely textured foliage and blue, pink or white, daisy-like flowers. Anemone blanda is an ideal companion for other spring blooming bulbs such as tulips and daffodils.

Anemone coronaria blooms in early spring or late summer, depending on when the corms are planted. The showy flowers have dark centers and silky, brightly colored petals. De Caen and St. Brigid are the two most common types of Anemone coronaria. Both are outstanding cut flowers and last 2 to 3 weeks in a vase. In warm zones, the corms of Anemone coronaria are usually planted in fall. In colder zones, they are planted in spring.

Anemone canadensis and Anemone sylvestris are hardy, long-lived perennials with snow-white spring flowers. Anemone x hybrida is a hardy 2 to 3 foot perennial that blooms in the fall and have white or pink flowers. Popular cultivars of Anemone x hybrida include ‘Honorine Jobert’ and ‘Robustissima’.

SUN OR SHADE:  Grecian windflowers thrive in light shade, though in cooler zones they may also be grown in full sun. De Caen and St. Brigid anemones may be grown in sun or partial shade, but in cooler zones, they flower best in full sun. Herbaceous anemones such as Anemone canadensis, Anemone sylvestris and Anemone x hybrida grow in sun or light shade.

WINTER HARDINESS:  Grecian windflowers (Anemone blanda) are hardy in zones 5-9. After flowering, they will come back to bloom again the next spring. De Caen and St. Brigid anemones are hardy in zones 7-9, and will usually flower well for several years. In colder zones (3-6), De Caen and St Brigid anemones are treated as summer-blooming annuals – planted in spring for summer flowers. Anemone canadensis andAnemone sylvestris are hardy in zones 3-7 and Anemone x hybrida is hardy in zones 4-8.

WHEN TO PLANT:  The corms of Grecian windflowers should be planted in fall, at the same time as tulips and daffodils. In zones 7-10, DeCaen and St. Brigid anemones can be planted in the fall for flowers the following spring. In cooler zones, De Caen and St. Brigid anemones should be planted in early spring for flowers in summer or early fall. Herbaceous anemones can be planted in spring, summer or fall.

WHERE TO PLANT ANEMONES

Grecian windflowers are compact, 6” plants with attractive, fern-like foliage. When grown in large numbers, they will spread a carpet of color through woodlands, shade gardens, and beneath other spring-blooming bulbs.

De Caen and St. Brigid anemones do not like to compete with other types plants. Give them their own space or grow them in pots and planters. They are also suitable for cutting gardens.

Herbaceous anemones such as Anemone canadensis, Anemone sylvestris andAnemone x hybrida can be planted in perennial borders, shade gardens or naturalized areas. They grow well in sun or shade.

TIPS FOR GROWING ANEMONES

Anemone corms are hard and dry. Soaking them in water for 8 to 12 hours before planting will make it easier for the sprouts to emerge. When planting the corms, they can be positioned in any direction. The sprouts will find their way to the sun.

Grecian windflowers are native to the Mediterranean, where soils are very well drained, summers are dry and winters are relatively warm. In the U.S., they prefer similar growing conditions, so are well suited to rock gardens and open woodlands with well-drained soil.

Once the foliage of De Caen and St Brigid anemones emerges from the soil, it will take 12-15 weeks for the flowers to open. Flowering usually continues for 3 to 4 weeks. It’s normal for these anemones to produce few roots, so don’t be concerned if you see very little root growth.

When the growing conditions are right, Anemone canadensis and Anemone sylvestris can spread quite rapidly, which may be desirable in a woodland garden but can be too much for a small perennial garden. Anemone x hybrida is a slow-growing, well-behaved perennial.

All anemones are distasteful to deer and rodents.